Two truckers among M5 crash dead

Two drivers working for the owners of Cornish pasty makers Ginsters were killed and a third was injured in the horrific M5 crash in the UK, the company said today.

Leicestershire-based food producer Samworth Brothers confirmed that two of its staff were among the seven people who died in the 34-vehicle pile-up on the motorway in Somerset on Friday night.

Police are focusing their attention on the theory that the crash was caused by smoke from a rugby club fireworks event drifting onto the M5.

Samworth Brothers, based in Melton Mowbray, said it was ``very shocked and saddened'' by the tragedy.

Company director Mark Samworth said: “The thoughts of everyone at Samworth Brothers are with the families and friends of all these individuals and others involved in this terrible incident.

“Our main priority at the moment is to offer as much support and help as needed to the families of those who have died and to the injured driver and his family.

“It is also a very difficult time for other colleagues at Samworth Brothers Distribution and we are ensuring our people are being well supported.”

The firm has not identified the staff who were killed in the massive pile-up, but lorry driver Terry Brice, from Bristol, has been named as one of the victims.

Mr Brice’s teenage daughter Jessica paid tribute to him on Twitter, writing: “Rest in peace daddy, i love you so much, you will never be forgotten, not a day will go by where i wont hope you’ll walk through that door.”

Avon and Somerset Police are yet to confirm the identities of any of the seven victims but said they are now conducting a criminal investigation.

A total of 51 people were injured in the accident, one of the worst British motorway crashes in memory. The stricken section of the M5 was reopened last night.

Elderly couple Anthony and Pamela Adams, from Newport, south Wales, have been named locally as among those killed in the crash.

The Reverend Andrew Willie told the congregation at St Mark’s Church, which the couple attended, of their deaths.

He said Mr Adams, who was a church reader and former warden, and his wife, who was involved in parish activities, would be “sorely missed”.

Neighbour and close friend Doreen Martin, 88, said the pair were in their seventies and had a large family of children and grandchildren. “It’s such a shock. They were a lovely couple,” she said.

The crash also left a young woman in a coma and her wheelchair-bound father and sister dead, according to reports.

Emma Barton, believed to be 19, was said to have been travelling in a car with her boyfriend Christopher Burbull, father Michael and sister Maggie, when they were caught up in the chaos.

Reports suggest the group had been to a funeral and were returning to the Barton family home in Windsor, Berkshire. Mr Burbull, of Slough, Berks, was also admitted to hospital following the crash, it was said.

Another victim was named as Malcolm Beacham, from Woolavington in Somerset, who was the event co-ordinator of medieval re-enactment group The Company Of Chivalry.

One tribute, left on the Living History website by a user named Martin, said: “For those that had the privilege of knowing him Malcolm was a fantastic guy, a true stalwart of the re-enactment community from The Company Of Chivalry.”

At the Taunton home of Tonia White, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Adams, a man who answered the door declined to comment.

Instead, he referred to a statement that had been placed on the front door of the modern terrace house.

“Please at this difficult time respect our wishes of privacy,” it said.

“A family statement will be given at the right time when all investigations by the police and the full facts are available.

“Our thoughts and love are with all the other families of this heart-wrenching accident at this time. Peace and love to you all at this difficult time.”